Leading life science manufacturers and research organizations were recognized at the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I² SL) conference last month for their adoption of the ACT label.

ACT is the first environmental impact factor label for laboratory products, developed by the non-profit My Green Lab. ACT— which stands for Accountability, Consistency and Transparency — is designed to provide critical information on the environmental impact of laboratory products.  The I²SL awardees demonstrated a commitment to sustainable procurement either by labeling their products with the ACT label or by taking steps to integrate the ACT label into their procurement processes.

The environmental impact of laboratories is enormous.  Buildings with laboratories consume as much as eight times more energy than office buildings and can use millions of gallons of water per year. In 2014 alone, it was estimated that labs discarded over 12 billion pounds of plastic—which doesn't include gloves, hazardous waste and packaging waste.  But it doesn't have to be like this.  Through smarter purchasing, organizations and individuals can significantly reduce their environmental impact.  By providing third-party verified information on a product's energy consumption, water use, and end-of-life, manufacturers with an ACT label empower purchasers to consider sustainability alongside performance.

"The I²SL Landfill Diversion Working Group is honored to recognize the work of both institutions and industry in greening the research supply chain. Reducing waste from research institutions is a priority for our work to create a more sustainable and equitable future, and the ACT label is an important step forward," said Kelly Weisinger, Assistant Director, Office of Sustainability Initiatives at Emory University and co-chair of the group that presented the award.

Among the organizations recognized was the University of California.  Wendell Brase, co-chair of the University of California Global Climate Leadership Council explains, "The University of California is not only committed to carbon-neutrality by 2025, but also to sustainable operations and practices of all types that impact the sustainability of our planet.  While the University's laboratories produce an immeasurable, positive global impact, the ACT program provides an essential tool to help minimize the environmental impacts of our research."

The 2018 I²SL Award Winners for Sustainable Procurement Leadership are:

Manufacturers:  CoolLED,  Eppendorf, MilliporeSigma, Priorclave, and Thermo Scientific

Research Institutions:  Cleveland Clinic, Duke University, Harvard University, Emory University, MIT, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of British Columbia, University of California, Office of the President, University of California, San Diego, University of California, Santa Barbara, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Georgia, and University of Virginia.

"We are really proud to be recognized among other top institutions for supporting the ACT label. This is a movement which will change the industry," said Ilyssa Gordon, MD, PhD, Medical Director of the Cleveland Clinic Office for a Healthy Environment.

"These manufacturers and organizations have demonstrated tremendous leadership in a space historically left out of the sustainability conversation," says Allison Paradise, CEO of My Green Lab.  "We are thrilled to see them being recognized by the I²SL community."

Product labels can be found on the ACT website as well as on the product websites.  ACT-labeled products are independently audited by Sustainability Made Simple and verified by My Green Lab.  

More information on the ACT label program can be found at act.mygreenlab.org